In a recent interview, Slipknot’s frontman Corey Taylor opened up about one of the most intense moments in his career when he nearly lost control in an altercation with the band’s turntablist, Sid Wilson. Taylor called this incident, which occurred in London in 2001, “one of the most evil moments of my life,” admitting that he came close to physically harming his bandmate.
The incident happened after a Slipknot concert at London’s Docklands Arena, a show filmed for their video album Disasterpieces. As part of the performance, the band members wore body cams, with strict instructions not to approach the crowd, as the cameras could easily be stolen. Sid Wilson, known for his wild antics and rebellious personality, did exactly what the band had told him not to do—he ventured too close to the audience, and sure enough, one of the cameras was taken. This blatant disregard for the rules enraged Taylor, who was also intoxicated at the time, exacerbating his anger.
Reflecting on the event during his interview on Your Mom’s House podcast, Taylor recounted the buildup to his outburst. “I wanna say it was London [Dockland] Arena, but I might be wrong. And he did exactly what we told him not to do. And I was so fing pissed. I was also hammered, so that didn’t fing help anything,” Taylor explained. His anger boiled over as Wilson returned backstage, not fully grasping why the rest of the band was so furious.
In a state of blind rage, Taylor lashed out at Wilson. “He comes back and he goes – I’m fing livid; I’m just like, ‘Aaargh!’ And he goes, ‘Dude, you’ve gotta tell them to give the fing camera back.’ And I just whipped around on him. I was just, like, ‘Shut your fing…’” Taylor said, vividly recalling his outburst. While the footage of the confrontation can be found online, Taylor cautioned that the clip is often “taken out of context,” but nevertheless expressed deep regret for his actions, describing it as a moment of uncharacteristic cruelty. “It was one of the most evil moments of my life, and I just didn’t give a s. And to this day I feel bad about it. And it’s a very real moment that’s out there for everybody to see.”
This wasn’t the only time that Taylor and Wilson had a serious altercation. In 2022, Taylor shared another story about a fistfight between the two bandmates. The fight stemmed from a seemingly minor prank at a meet-and-greet event. A fan had gifted Taylor a rare comic book he had been seeking for years, but before Taylor could fully enjoy it, Wilson slapped it out of his hand. Taylor saw red, and what began as a prank quickly escalated into a full-blown physical confrontation. “That turned into us turning on each other and going at each other hard to the point where the band had to pull us apart,” Taylor recounted. Wilson was so upset by the situation that he threatened to leave the tour altogether, and neither of them was willing to apologize.
Fortunately, the tension between the two bandmates didn’t last forever. In 2016, after Taylor underwent spinal surgery, Wilson was the first person to call him and offer his support. During that phone call, the two men apologized to each other, putting an end to their longstanding grudge. Taylor recalled the emotional conversation: “[Wilson] was the first one to call me and he just said, he was, like, ‘I’m so sorry,’ and I said, ‘I am so sorry.’ And I said ‘I love you.’ He was, like, ‘Are you OK?’ And I was, like, ‘I’m all right. It’s all good.’ And just like that, nothing mattered other than me and my brother.”
The evolution of Taylor and Wilson’s relationship reflects a broader theme in Slipknot’s journey as a band. While the group’s chaotic energy and aggressive sound have been a defining aspect of their identity, the bond between its members has been tested and strengthened over the years. As Taylor has often said in interviews, the band functions as a family, albeit a highly dysfunctional one at times. The close-knit nature of Slipknot, combined with the pressures of constant touring and performing, can lead to explosive moments like the ones described, but it also fosters deep loyalty and mutual respect among the members.
Slipknot is currently touring in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. The band has long been known for its intense live performances, complete with elaborate stage setups, pyrotechnics, and of course, their signature masks. Slipknot’s shows are legendary for their high-octane energy, and fans can expect nothing less as the band hits the road for a series of festival dates and concerts across Europe and the UK later this year.
Here are the remaining dates for Slipknot’s 2024 tour:
- Oct 11: Sacramento Aftershock Festival, CA
- Oct 19: São Paulo Knotfest Brasil, Brazil
- Nov 08: Guadalajara Calle 2, Mexico
- Nov 09: Mexico City Parque Bicentenario, Mexico
- Dec 05: Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, Netherlands
- Dec 06: Dortmund Westfalenhalle, Germany
- Dec 08: Stuttgart Schleyerhalle, Germany
- Dec 09: Leipzig Quarterback Immobilien Arena, Germany
- Dec 11: Zurich Hallenstadion, Switzerland
- Dec 12: Paris Accorhotel Arena, France
- Dec 14: Leeds First Direct Arena, UK
- Dec 15: Glasgow OVO Hydro, UK
- Dec 17: Manchester Co-op Live Arena, UK
- Dec 18: Birmingham Utilita Arena, UK
- Dec 20: London O2 Arena, UK
- Dec 21: London O2 Arena, UK
Despite the challenges and tensions Slipknot has faced over the years, they continue to be one of the most iconic and enduring bands in the metal genre. The stories of conflict, resolution, and brotherhood between members like Corey Taylor and Sid Wilson only add to the complex and fascinating history of this legendary group. Fans can look forward to seeing more of their explosive performances and personal journeys as they continue to evolve and push boundaries in the music world.
